Trump flies in to turmoil in Britain

LONDON: Donald Trump arrives in Britain on Thursday for his first visit as US president, flying into a whirlwind of protests against him and political turmoil over Brexit.

The four- day trip, which will include talks with Prime Minister Theresa May, tea with Queen Elizabeth II and a private weekend in Scotland, is set to be greeted by a leftist- organised mass protest in London Friday.

Despite a series of diplomatic spats between Britain and Trump, the British government is hoping for a quick trade deal with the US after it leaves the European Union.

“When we leave the European Union we will begin to chart a new course for Britain in the world and our global alliances will be stronger than ever,” May said ahead of Trump’s visit.

“There is no stronger alliance than that of our special relationship with the US and there will be no alliance more important in the years ahead,” the British leader said.

US ambassador to the UK, Woody Johnson, has said a deal will be ‘ a major priority’ for Trump, calling Brexit ‘a once-ina-lifetime opportunity to change direction’. — AFP